Endocytosis of HIV-1 activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells via Toll-like receptor- viral RNA interactions

HIV-1 directly activates human plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) by upregulating the expression of costimulatory and MHC molecules and maturation markers, increasing T cell stimulatory activity, and inducing the production of type I interferons and TNF-alpha. A consequence of this activation is the bystander maturation of myeloid DCs and overall enhancement of antigen-presenting function. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) of pDC activation by HIV-1. Here we demonstrate by in vitro studies that IFN-alpha production by pDC in response to HIV-1 requires at least 2 interactions between the cell and virus. Initially, envelope-CD4 interactions mediate endocytosis of HIV-1, as demonstrated through the use of…

• CR
  Cancer Research Institute
• YU
  Yale University
• YU
  York University
• IN
  Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
• FP
  Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale
• NI
  National Institutes of Health
• SO
  School of Medicine, New York University
• CF
  Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington
• NC
  National Cancer Institute